Abstract：
BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 infections can result in a broad spectrum of symptoms from mild to life-threatening. Long-term consequences on lung function are not well understood yet.
METHODS: In our study, we have examined 134 post-COVID patients (aged 54.83 ± 14.4 years) with dyspnea on exertion as a leading symptom 6 weeks to 24 months after a SARS-CoV-2 infection for bronchodilator responsiveness during their stay in our pulmonary rehabilitation clinic.
RESULTS: Prior to bronchial dilation, 6 out of 134 patients (4.47%) presented an FEV1/FVC ratio below lower limit of normal (Z-score = -1.645) indicative of an obstructive airway disease. Following inhalation of a β2-adrenergic agonist we measured a mean FEV1 increase of 181.5 mL in our cohort, which was significantly elevated compared to a historical control group (ΔFEV1 = 118 mL). 28.7% of the patients showed an increase greater than 200 mL and 12% displayed a significant bronchodilation response (>200 mL ΔFEV1 and >12% FEV1 increase). Interestingly, no significant difference in bronchial dilation effect was observed when comparing patients hospitalized and those non-hospitalized during the course of their SARS-CoV-2 infection.
CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence for increased prevalence of obstructive ventilatory defects and increased bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with persisting symptoms after COVID-19. Depending on the extent of this complication, post-COVID patients may benefit from an adapted β2-inhalation therapy including subsequent reevaluation.
METHODS: In our study, we have examined 134 post-COVID patients (aged 54.83 ± 14.4 years) with dyspnea on exertion as a leading symptom 6 weeks to 24 months after a SARS-CoV-2 infection for bronchodilator responsiveness during their stay in our pulmonary rehabilitation clinic.
RESULTS: Prior to bronchial dilation, 6 out of 134 patients (4.47%) presented an FEV1/FVC ratio below lower limit of normal (Z-score = -1.645) indicative of an obstructive airway disease. Following inhalation of a β2-adrenergic agonist we measured a mean FEV1 increase of 181.5 mL in our cohort, which was significantly elevated compared to a historical control group (ΔFEV1 = 118 mL). 28.7% of the patients showed an increase greater than 200 mL and 12% displayed a significant bronchodilation response (>200 mL ΔFEV1 and >12% FEV1 increase). Interestingly, no significant difference in bronchial dilation effect was observed when comparing patients hospitalized and those non-hospitalized during the course of their SARS-CoV-2 infection.
CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence for increased prevalence of obstructive ventilatory defects and increased bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with persisting symptoms after COVID-19. Depending on the extent of this complication, post-COVID patients may benefit from an adapted β2-inhalation therapy including subsequent reevaluation.
摘要：
背景：SARS-CoV-2感染可导致从轻度到危及生命的广泛症状。对肺功能的长期影响尚不清楚。
方法：在我们的研究中，我们检查了134例SARS-CoV-2感染后6周至24个月以劳力呼吸困难为主要症状的COVID后患者(年龄54.83±14.4岁)在我们的肺康复诊所住院期间的支气管扩张剂反应性。
结果：在支气管扩张之前，134例患者中有6例(4.47%)的FEV1/FVC比值低于正常下限(Z评分=-1.645),提示存在阻塞性气道疾病.吸入β2-肾上腺素能激动剂后，我们在我们的队列中测量到平均FEV1增加181.5mL，与历史对照组相比显着升高（ΔFEV1=118mL）。28.7%的患者显示大于200mL的增加,并且12%显示显著的支气管扩张反应(>200mLΔFEV1和>12%FEV1增加)。有趣的是,当比较在SARS-CoV-2感染过程中住院和未住院的患者时，未观察到支气管扩张效果的显着差异。
结论：我们的数据提供了证据表明，在COVID-19后症状持续存在的患者中，阻塞性通气缺陷的患病率增加和支气管扩张剂反应性增加。根据这种并发症的程度，COVID后患者可能会受益于适应性β2吸入疗法，包括随后的重新评估。
方法：在我们的研究中，我们检查了134例SARS-CoV-2感染后6周至24个月以劳力呼吸困难为主要症状的COVID后患者(年龄54.83±14.4岁)在我们的肺康复诊所住院期间的支气管扩张剂反应性。
结果：在支气管扩张之前，134例患者中有6例(4.47%)的FEV1/FVC比值低于正常下限(Z评分=-1.645),提示存在阻塞性气道疾病.吸入β2-肾上腺素能激动剂后，我们在我们的队列中测量到平均FEV1增加181.5mL，与历史对照组相比显着升高（ΔFEV1=118mL）。28.7%的患者显示大于200mL的增加,并且12%显示显著的支气管扩张反应(>200mLΔFEV1和>12%FEV1增加)。有趣的是,当比较在SARS-CoV-2感染过程中住院和未住院的患者时，未观察到支气管扩张效果的显着差异。
结论：我们的数据提供了证据表明，在COVID-19后症状持续存在的患者中，阻塞性通气缺陷的患病率增加和支气管扩张剂反应性增加。根据这种并发症的程度，COVID后患者可能会受益于适应性β2吸入疗法，包括随后的重新评估。
